Reflection for Sunday 22nd December, 2024

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Mary’s visit to Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-44)

Mary was informed by the angel Gabriel that her ageing cousin, Elizabeth, had conceived and was in her sixth month. Mary knew that Elizabeth would welcome her assistance, so she set off over hill and vale as quickly as she could. But it is likely that caring for Elizabeth was not her only motive.

The deep experience of God that she received at the Angel Gabriel’s annunciation was something she needed to share with another who had a divine experience. The moment they met was a wonderful celebration of divine presence.

Mary had already experienced the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit. Now, as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, she too was filled with the Holy Spirit and the child in her womb leapt for joy.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

John the Dancer

We usually think of John the Baptist as a man who was ascetical in his own life, giving hope to sinners, but not afraid to confront Herod about his sinful behaviour. An American priest, Isaac Power, wrote a beautiful Advent reflection on the Baptist, calling him John the Dancer. We overlook that Spirit-filled performance when he danced for joy in his mother’s womb. Elizabeth, his mother, took up the dance music and proclaimed the three great blessings of Mary. Then Mary completed the celebration with the Magnificat. “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.” But it was John, as always, who prepared the way.

The three blessings of Mary

Luke is the evangelist of the action of the Holy Spirit and he celebrates the Spirit’s presence on the blessed day of the Visitation. That beautiful word ‘blessed’, which tells of God’s giving, is heard three times.
“Of all women you are the most blessed.” Mary is somebody who was specially chosen by God and addressed by the angel as full of grace. In the words of William Wordsworth, she is our tainted nature’s solitary boast: the most blessed of all people.
“Blessed is the fruit of your womb.” In this second blessing, Elizabeth celebrates how the grace bestowed upon Mary will be the source of divine fruitfulness for all of us.
The graces that God offers must be accepted in total trust. This is where Elizabeth recognised Mary’s third blessedness. “Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.” Perhaps Elizabeth was thinking of her husband, Zechariah, who doubted the angel’s promise and lost the power of speech until their child was born. Mary expressed her total acceptance of the annunciation. “Let it be done to me according to your word.” Later in the gospel we hear Jesus praise her faith and total obedience: “Blessed is she who heard the word of God and put it into practice.” She is the model of the Church.

What can we do?

Is there anything of a practical nature that we can learn from the Visitation, the Second Joyful Mystery of the Rosary? Mary set off over hilly country when she heard that Elizabeth might need support. Is there any individual or group of people who need my support? Christmas is dreaded by many people … living alone … grieving the loss of a loved one during the year … burdened with bills … having nothing to give to the children. It is not too late to make a donation to any of the charitable organizations that do fabulous work. Or you might know an individual or family who would welcome a hamper or toys.
Then there is the delicate matter of breaking the cold silence which keeps people, even family members, apart. It might not work but somebody must make the first step. And since Christmas is a season of great grace, who knows what might happen? As the Angel Gabriel said regarding the unlikely pregnancy of Elizabeth, “Nothing is impossible to God.”

The Visitation Prayer

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.